Wrapping up the year at work, writing cards, attending office parties, friends' parties, family parties, shopping, cooking, decorating ... December can seem like one long obligation.

This year, what about focusing on enjoying yourself, instead of feeling that you are only doing things you need to? You might feel guilty at first, but you'll be so relieved when you get to Christmas with some sanity left that you won't regret it. Let's get you started:

1. Begin by cutting down the tree (or not). Instead of a full-size tree that makes you break into a sweat in the middle of December as you drag it up the stairs, use a miniature tree that comes in a pot. Not only will you not have to clean up the falling needles or worry about not missing the tree pick-up in January, you can keep it around as decoration throughout the year. You only need one box of small tree ornaments, all in the same color for a more sophisticated look, and a single strand of lights to decorate. Place the tree in a silver or gold pot holder, or wrap luxurious-looking fabric, such as thick velvet or a shimmery faux silk, around an inexpensive terra-cotta pot for a festive look.

2. Allison Fishman, cohost of TLCs Home Made Simple, suggests starting a simple family tradition by making new ornaments every year. Each piece will then bring back a unique memory as you place it on the tree. You can also pin ornaments to a ribbon or a decorative cord, and use that on the mantelpiece or on curtain rods.

3. Rather than spending a fortune on wrapping paper that will quickly disappear into a trash bag, Fishman likes to invest in beautiful bows, and use newspapers and brown paper bags to wrap her presents. If you have young kids, she recommends letting them draw on the paper for a fully personalized package.

4. When cooking for Christmas, make use of your freezer. You can prepare soups weeks in advance and freeze them until you are ready to garnish them with a dollop of cream and serve them. They make for a sophisticated yet simple appetizer. Serve braised dishes, such as short ribs. Braises gain a lot of flavor when allowed to rest for a day or two, so make them at least a day ahead, and just reheat before dinner. Generally, stick to a simple menu with one entrée and just a couple of side dishes, and don't hesitate to ask your guests to bring wine or food.

5. Cookies are a staple of the holiday season, and can be frozen for a month, preferably unbaked, so that you can fill the house with their appetizing scents comes Christmas. Fishman says to start right after Thanksgiving, so that by December 15, the stand mixer can be stowed away, leaving room for other types of cooking. Slice-and-bake cookies can be shaped into rolls and frozen, ready for the oven anytime. For drop cookies, she recommends using a small ice cream scoop to shape them before freezing. Serve the cookies at home or bring them as gifts when you are invited. Present them in a transparent gift bag tied with a beautiful bow (another use for those ribbons). Cookies also make easy gifts for coworkers.

Anne E. McBride is a writer and editor for consumer, trade, and academic food media. She is the director of the Experimental Cuisine Collective at New York University and of the Center for Food Media at the Institute of Culinary Education. She wrote Chocolate Epiphany and Bite Size with Chef François Payard, and is currently co-authoring a book about working in the food industry.